Patana News Volume 26, 8th December 2023

PATANA NEWS

Friday 8th December 2023 Volume 26 Issue 15

Time to Celebrate and Pause

By Chris Sammons

Also in this issue...

Year 4’s Chocolate Expedition Sports Team Updates Storytelling Like No Other Embrace Sustainability Reading for Pleasure Tech Tips PTG Updates

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www.patana.ac.th

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Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit IB World School accredited by CIS Bangkok Patana School News

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Time to Celebrate And Pause Chris Sammons, Head of School

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he end of Term 1 is here! At this mid-point of our academic year, we often ask each other how things have gone this term. The answer returns with reference to each person’s feelings in relation to time. For school staff, planning backward and forward in service to the student journey is a daily conversation. For leaders, monitoring school plans in response to what is changing around us is continuous. For parents, coordinating time between ho m e , work and school is an art form. For students, negotiating with time and claiming some for themselves.

Time is the most valued thing we have together, and Bangkok Patana School should be commended for what it has achieved since August.

Displays of creativity around the school have been provoking: Primary students representing habitats and debating what makes a ‘good’ habitat; IB mid-year art exhibitions exploring what it means to be us; the Dance Academy working to develop physical mastery as part of an international school workshop; and, we all got to share our creativity during International Day. A particular standout in October was the Oundle Music Concert as young musicians collaborated together and formed friendships. The final performances were emotionally moving and of the highest calibre. So too, the return of live performances from our secondary students over three nights of The Crucible.

Sports teams have also been busy this term. More than

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1200 students have taken part in 102 events since August, 32 of which were hosted here at Bangkok Patana School. This was in addition to over 100 regular sports fixtures! Big wins were the Girl’s Golf team crowned as SEASAC champions and our Girls Under15 football team who won BISP 7s tournament. More locally (BMAC), we were awarded titles for Under11 Boys and Girls Cross Country, Under11 Boys Football, Under14 Boys and Girls Tennis and Under14 Boys Basketball. For BMAC short course swimming, we were awarded Boys, Girls and overall champions too. Go Tigers!

For those of you who have given service to the community, another note of praise. It was a point of distinction for us to see trophies awarded at some of these events made by groups of students learning through service activities.

Wonderful to see our youngest students engaged in service learning including collecting items and books

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for the Khlong Toey community as well as Year 3 being involved in selling Christmas Cards for the first time at the annual market – a cunning sales strategy!

No wonder people feel it is time to rest. We all experience time differently depending on our age, our culture and what we believe needs to be done next. Remember that time is a true gift we can give each other, so don’t forget to pause time this holiday for yourself and family. Savour the time that we have enjoyed together, you are an extraordinary community of people who give yourselves fully to make us as strong as we are. Savour the time you have in your families to listen to each other’s stories, tune in with what is happening in each other’s lives; put down the devices and give undivided attention to your most cherished others. Come back to us safely in January as we look forward to doing it all again!

From me personally, thank you for just being you and what you bring to the community daily. Happy holidays.

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Year 4’s Chocolate Expedition: Our Sweet Journey into Wonderland Dominique Chandler, Leader of Learning and Curriculum Year 4

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ouldn’t it be amazing if chocolate grew on trees? Well, it does! Wouldn’t it be amazing if I said we were going to make some chocolate? Well, we are! And we’re going to discover even more amazing things about chocolate…” This was the big idea that kicked off a delightful and educational adventure for the Year 4 students in August, blending curiosity, engagement, and our school’s core values: Well- Being - Motivated and engaged Learning - Rigorous, inquisitive and creative Global Citizenship - Ethical and informed To make learning an exciting voyage, our term started with a captivating entry point. The students were immersed in various activities to kindle their inquisitive minds.

From crafting hot chocolate like the Aztecs to excavating chocolate chip cookies and indulging in mindful chocolate tasting, their journey was a sensorial delight. Adding a touch of creativity, they also engaged in making chocolate playdough and designed their own chocolate wrappers, tapping into our students’ artistic potential.

derstanding of the human body’s complex processes.

Our Geography lessons transported them to the tropical realms where cacao trees thrive. We explored the factors

The collaborative approach extended into our Science lessons, where we delved into the intricacies of dental care and the digestive system. Armed with newfound knowledge, we embarked on a unique writing project. Each of the students assumed the persona of an alliterative food character, taking the reader on a delightful, exciting, yet harrowing, journey through the digestive system as experienced by the chocolate that we consume. This creative and informative exercise not only honed Year 4s writing skills but also reinforced their un-

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influencing the growth of these trees. The rich history of chocolate unfolded in our History lessons, unraveling the pioneers who first discovered chocolate and those who introduced it to Europe. The importance of cocoa beans in historical trade became evident, showcasing the global impact of this delectable treat.

In Design and Technology, we rolled up our sleeves to understand the alchemy of chocolate-making. From the basics of crafting their own chocolate to experimenting with various ingredients, the Year 4 students gained a hands-on understanding of the culinary arts. This not only cultivated practical skills but also ignited their creativity in the realm of food innovation. Furthermore, they applied their mathematical knowledge by measuring and scaling ingredients precisely. Using their Mathematical skills, they created nets for individualised chocolate boxes and wrappers, adding an extra layer of precision and design to the Year 4s’ delicious creations.

The Global Citizenship aspect was seamlessly integrated into the curriculum as we explored fair trade practices.

We learned about the significance of fair-trade chocolate, extending their understanding to other ethically

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sourced products. This broader perspective highlighted the interconnectedness of our choices as consumers and the impact on the world at large.

Our term-long exploration of chocolate showcased our school’s commitment to its values. Year 4 students emerged not only as connoisseurs of chocolate but as well-rounded individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the world around them.

Who knew there was so much to learn about chocolate? We did! The Year 4 team certainly turned a seemingly simple topic into a multifaceted learning experience. As the term concludes, with the sweet taste of knowledge lingering, our Year 4 students have gone from Choco-consumers to Choco-explorers and ending the term as Choco-Experts!

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BISP Soccer 7’s Alice Curwood, Cross Campus Assistant Principal, Extra Curricular Activities and Sports

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ur Football teams travelled to Phuket to take part in the annual BISP Soccer 7s tournament. Bangkok Patana could have been likened to a small army, with 80 students and 9 staff making the trip. We are proud to have fielded teams in every age group and gender; Under11, Under13, Under15 and Over 15. In our Over 15 Boys team there were three students who have been

attending the tournament with Bangkok Patana since Under11. These three young men have summarised their individual experiences below to share with you. Sport can be both kind and cruel, but what is most important is the learning that takes place and the ability to apply these skills to any aspect of life.

Marwin Banluelap 13R: “Whilst doing the team talk for the first match of the tournament there was a sense of camaraderie and a vibrant energy.

The desire to win. As a team the ten of us knew for many of us

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this would be the last international tournament we played at but most importantly it would be the last international tournament we played together as a team. After missing out on the SEASAC semifinals following defeat from a half

time 3-0 cushion, we had something to prove. The whole experience was riveting; the glory of topping our group unbeaten and being ranked with the highest goals per matches in the whole tournament at the end of the group stage, we felt unstoppable. Quarterfinals arrived, our nerves at an all time high. We lost on penalties 13-12. To be so close to grasping silverware again and to lose out on it stung, but this is what sport is about. Throughout my time playing with Patana I’ve experienced joy and hardship. These hardships have been pivotal in my journey of self betterment and have helped me progress as a person to deal with disappointment and anger. When looking back at my career with Patana I have no regrets. It has truly been a journey starting off my first tournament with the U11s team in Phuket as a goalkeeper and now ending as captain and outfielder on the Varsity squad. I am most grateful for the team and our coachCoach Adam.”

Ilian Meyer 13K: “Football has always been very significant to me ever since I was 2. Since I joined Patana, I have always taken part in football events, whether it would be interclass football or overseas tournaments. I have had the opportunity over the years to travel to 3 overseas tournaments including SEASAC in Singapore and twice to BISP 7s in Phuket. My first trip was to Phuket when I was in Year 6.

I was very nervous as it was my first ever overseas tournament. Although I do not remember much of the tournament, we placed 4th overall with the head coach at the time being Mr Tatam. He was very proud of us since we had almost never played with each other before. I had then realised how important playing as a team was to

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be successful. Mr Tatam reminded us that we had

to all work together, passing quickly and taking our chances to make our way to the semi-finals. Clearly, communication was also critical for our team to function, making sure we all stayed in our positions or to get back and defend. Unfortunately, our loss in the semi-finals devastated the team; however we looked back on how far we have come beating many other schools. This was the exact same feeling our current team experienced, playing exceptionally well together, winning all games until an unfortunate turn of events where we lost by penalties in the Quarterfinals.

Although it wasn’t a pleasant experience, it taught us that in sports, anything is possible and that one game where you don’t work hard enough may be the decisive one. For the future, my past experiences in football have come to teach me the importance of communication and teamwork to be efficient and successful whether in sports or in groups for projects.

I am extremely

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grateful for having such an amazing team and having experienced such emotions that have taught me lessons.

I will be taking these lessons with me through university and life beyond.”

Att Chansiri 13T: “Similar to Marwin and Illian, for me football has been a huge part of my life. It’s what got me through the stresses of IB and university applications over the past two years, and something that I will miss greatly. Playing football and sports in general at Patana has definitely been the most enjoyable experience from my time here. I have some of the best memories and more importantly friendships that I will never forget. This football season has definitely been my most memorable and most enjoyable sporting experience I have ever had. The strides we made collectively, the tears and the bursts of laughter. Truly, a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this season, and I wouldn’t have had it any differently. Although we disappointedly got knocked out of the quarter finals from BISP, I am extremely proud of the improvements we have made.

I couldn’t have asked for a better last International football tournament, one of the best trips I have been a part of. I started football at Bangkok Patana from Year 4, playing as a goalkeeper. In year 6, after a summer of training I got promoted to the A team. Going back to BISP this year, brought back many memories from year 6. 7 years on, BISP 7s is still as good as it was back then. Now, in senior year, and leaving to university next year, I will miss all the friends I have made through sports at BPS. The memories I have made, and the lessons I have learned will always stick with me.”

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Golf at Bangkok Patana Oliver Blundell, Head of Faculty Physical Education

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n its first term, enthusiastic students demonstrated considerable skill development supported and showcased notable success both on and off the greens by Tom Dingwall and his highly skilled coaches.

TRAINING At ‘The Lab’, next door to Tom’s Academy, a well-designed conditioning program for young golfers focuses on developing strength, flexibility, dynamic movements, and key components for mastering the intricate movements of the golf swing. Prioritising conditioning for junior golfers is an investment in their overall well-being, promoting both physical fitness and helping Bangko Patana gain a competitive edge on the fairways.

Our Development Squad trains on Tuesday and Wednesday at Tom Dingwall’s academy, with termly trips to the Navy Course in BangNa to gain valuable experience in course management. The International School Golf Tour (ISGT) have introduced CUBS events this academic year, welcoming our development golfers to participate in nine holes of tournament golf, experiencing the highs and lows of golf in a safe environment.

The BPS team comprises of 20 golfers, with Dalila in Year 5 being our youngest member and Krish in Year 13, our most experienced. The Golf team train on Mon-

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days at Tom’s Academy and on Thursday they head to either Thana City Country Club or Thai Country Club to play nine holes with a coach assigned to each group.

Playing with a coach on the course offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for the practical application of skills learned in training, bridging the gap between practice sessions and actual gameplay. The coach’s on-thespot guidance provides immediate feedback, enabling young golfers to refine their techniques in a dynamic setting.

Playing with a coach also cultivates the mental aspects of the game for players. It fosters strategic thinking, decision-making, and the ability to adapt to different course conditions. The coach acts as a mentor, offering valuable insights into course management and terrain reading, encouraging a more comprehensive and strategic approach to golf.

PRACTICE PAYS OFF AT GOLF SEASAC 2023 The Vintage Golf Club was the setting for this year’s SEASAC Golf Competition, hosted by Bangkok Patana

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mention for his boys’ MVP award. Well done to all that took part.

School. We entered a full team of six boys and six girls into a strong field of Under18 golfers from 15 different schools around Asia. Bangkok Patana started well by winning the Kahoot Quiz, after the warm-up scramble event on Wednesday. The teams went from strength to strength over the next two days, an 18-hole gross stroke play competition. At the end of the first day, our Boys’ team was sitting fourth, 1 stroke behind third place with GIS KL and our Girls’ team was leading the way in their competition with an incredible team score of -2. Day 2 signalled more of the same from the Girls’ team, who won their division by an incredible 27-shot margin to secure 1st place. The boys again put up a great fight, but a podium finish wasn’t to be, as they finished a very respectable 4th from 15 schools. In the individual competitions, Xiaowen (Lisa) Zhang (Girls MVP) finished second with +2, just ahead of Jenny Keil in third with +3.

Jenny also collected the balls for her closest-to-pin on the 16th, with Neil Kumar deserving of special

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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS GOLF TOUR (ISGT): ISGT events have become firm favourites of our team golfers this year, with the tour growing to hosting 13 competitions this academic year. In the six so far we have had the following podium results: Harrow Invitational Under11 Girls Net - Dalila 2nd Place Under16 Girls individual - Lisa 1st Place St Andrews Green ValleyInvitational Under18 Girls Net - Shirley 1st Place Under13 Girls Net - Shane 3rd Place ASB Eagle Cup Under18 Girls Net - Shirley 1st Place Kings Invitational

U18 Boys Net - Mithil 1st Place U11 Girls Net - Dalila 1st Place One for your diaries, our Bangkok Patana Invitational will be hosted at Thana City Golf Course on Sunday 10th March 2024.

Bangkok Patana School News

ROYAL BANGKOK SPORTS CLUB WIN FOR JJ! Pana (JJ) Farnworth finished 4 shots clear of the field to win at a recent RSBC Junior event.

To win his age group was nice but to score 75 gross was his best yet at his home course of RBSC.

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Gymnastics Academy Updates Coach George, Coach Wah and the whole Coaching Team

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n Sunday 19th November, the Gymnastics Academy hosted our annual In House Competition. What a spectacular show of determination, resilience and Tiger Spirit! Round of applause for every single gymnast involved. They have worked so hard for the past few months, mastering new skills and routines.

A real highlight was seeing the support each Gymnast gave their peers across all ages, abilities and genders.

They embodied values within our Guiding Statements;

Emily Cannon showed what it means to be a true athlete, attempting some more advanced skills in Beam and Floor. Whilst the skills didn’t quite go her way on the day, what an outstanding show of resilience to finish both routines fully in front of an audience. Well done!

Kind, Passionate and Respectful. Our older students exhibited the qualities needed to be conscientious role models to their younger peers.

With 29 new additions to the team this year, huge well done for competing in their first competition! They have all been a fantastic addition to our Academy. We know they were particularly nervous and apprehensive about what to expect. They absolutely smashed it and proved to themselves that they had the confidence to perform.

Whilst this was a very hard decision, Award for the ‘Best Newcomers’ went to Poppy Hatfield and Harry Short.

Well deserved.

Overall, Team Ron Weasley came in 1st place with a score of 225.92 for the women’s (WAG) competition, led by Ari Kim. For the Male (MAG), we saw Sam Jones lead his team Severus Snape to victory with a total 227.65. All gymnasts competing received a medal for participation and the renowned Gymnastics Academy

Prior to the event, the overall consensus for the theme was Harry Potter! Our selected Team Captains marched their teams into the gymnasium, consisting of gymnasts from a mix of levels. Shout out goes to our winner of the ‘In House Best Team Captain’ Keira McKnight Burrell who, like the other Team Captains, reassured the younger gymnasts before their performances and high fived or hugged them afterwards.

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plause for the entertainment and doing cartwheels in the Tiger Tuk Tuk suit! We are very fortunate to have such a talented group of Coaches who care about every single Gymnast.

teddy bear. Smiles all round.

Now for Captains of 2023/24. Having come forward to show their interest in the role, it is with great pleasure to announce Sam Jones (MAG) and Keira McKnight Burrel will be the faces of the Academy this year. I have no doubt that they will continue to be exceptional role models to the other gymnasts and look forward to working with them this year. Congratulations Thank you to Coach Wah who’s impeccable organisation meant that the event ran seamlessly. Coach Naam for her dedication to our Coaches Training and the wider 12 members of the Coaching Team who showed outstanding attention to detail. Coach Joke, round of ap-

Parents, your support for the Gymnastics Academy is exceptional. We hope you enjoyed watching your children’s hard work pay off. They spend hundreds of hours in the gym and it is fantastic to see their love for the sport.

Upon joining Patana in August, I was told by many of you that the BPS Gymnastics Academy was a family. This event proved to me how right you all were... Looking forward to many more events with you all.

TRANSPORT CORNER • If your child won’t be coming to school for any reason during the last week of Term 1, please let the Transport Team know in advance to avoid inconvenience to other users.

The Transport Team will provide 4:30 pm buses for Secondary Season 3 Sports Trials on Monday 11th December and Wednesday 13th December. The rest of the week, we’ll provide the regular 2:30 pm buses.

• If your child will stay for the Christmas concert on Wednesday 13th December and won’t use their bus home, please cancel their bus.

Please be reminded that ECA’s Block B will resume on Monday 8th January 2024, the first day of Term 2.

• If you plan to attend the Christmas Assembly on Friday morning and would like to join the school bus, check with our Transport Team for seat availability.

• If you’ll be driving your child to and/or from school any day next week, remember to cancel their bus.

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Possible Traffic Congestion Advance Notice: There will be the Red Cross Fair 2023 at Lumphini Park from 8th December to 18th December 2023. Due to the anticipated number of attendees, we expect traffic congestion on Ratchadamri Road, Silom Road, Ram 4 Road, Phloen Chit Road, Wireless Road and Sathorn Road on these days.

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Storytelling Like No Other Stephen Murgatroyd, Cross Campus Head of Libraries

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early 4 years ago, Matt Mills, our previous Head of School, came back from a Heads Conference in Vietnam enthusing about this storyteller he had heard fabulous things about and tasked us to bring him to Bangkok Patana. Due to COVID, his visit was delayed by 2 years, but we were finally able to welcome Niall de Búrca to school last month. He kindly agreed to MC the Cultural Show on International Day, where he told a story about a great spirit who created the world, introducing the 5 acts to the stage as part of the same family, yet with their own diverse stories to tell. It was a wonderful way to start his residency with us.

Niall is a traditional Irish storyteller, a scéalaí (he says that he still needs to work hard to get to the next level and become a seanchaí), with a treasure trove of stories to tell. He has been wowing audiences across the world for decades and encouraging children to use their imagination and their words to tell their own stories. Throughout his time with us he was full of tips and tricks, which he shared with the children and students, about how to get ideas and then how to get those thoughts down and compose them so they could be turned into wonderful tales.

Following on from International Day, over the past couple of weeks, children and students from Nursery through to Year 10 have enjoyed listening to stories and attending workshops presented by Niall. He has excited and engaged with his wonderful brand of storytelling, thrilling them with suspense and causing great hilarity – often in the same session!

One of his most impactful sessions was with the Primary MFL, Thai and EAL children where he spoke passionately about the immense value of home languages and how wonderful it was that children at Patana have the opportunity to both learn new ones as well as developing a deeper understanding of their own. Niall is very proud of his home language, Gaelic, and loved sharing it as he wove it into the stories he told.

The storytelling dress-up day on the 1st December was a fabulous way to end his two weeks with us and it was lovely to see the variety of ideas that everyone had to show how they wanted to share their story.

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Embrace Sustainability this Holiday Season: Give Thoughtful and Eco-Friendly Gifts Ana Bolakoso SEC KS3 Rep

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s the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time ternatives such as: to reflect on how we can make a positive impact on Reusable gift bags made from fabric or recycled mathe environment while celebrating with our loved ones. At terials Bangkok Patana School, we believe that it’s essential to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of our lives, Furoshiki, a Japanese technique of wrapping gifts in including gift-giving. In this article, we will explore various cloth ways to give more sustainable gifts this holiday season, Recycled and recyclable wrapping paper making it a memorable and eco-friendly experience for all.

Brown paper bags or newspaper, decorated with your artistic touch 1. EMBRACE SECRET SANTA/BAD SANTA AND KRIS KRINGLES: These alternatives not only look beautiful but also reOne of the most effective ways to reduce the environ- duce the environmental impact of your gift-giving. mental footprint of gift-giving is by embracing gift exchange traditions like Secret Santa, Bad Santa, or Kris 4. SUSTAINABLE AND ETHICAL GIFTS: When selecting gifts, opt for products that are sustainKringle. Instead of buying multiple gifts for everyone in your social circle, each participant draws a name and able and ethically sourced. Look for items made from buys a gift for only one person. This not only reduces ex- eco-friendly materials, such as bamboo, organic cotton, cessive consumption but also allows for more thoughtful or recycled materials. Additionally, support businesses that adhere to fair labour practices and have a commitand meaningful gifts. ment to environmental responsibility.

2. GIFT OF CHARITY: This holiday season, consider giving the gift of charity 5. DIY GIFTS: Handmade gifts are a heartfelt and sustainable option. to support wildlife and sustainability causes in Thailand.

Many organisations in Thailand work tirelessly to protect Consider creating personalised gifts like homemade canthe environment and its unique biodiversity. By donating to dles, delicious baked goods, bath salts, or even hand-knit these organisations in the name of your loved ones, you scarves. DIY gifts not only showcase your creativity but can make a difference and provide a meaningful gift that also reduce the need for mass-produced items that often come with excessive packaging. keeps on giving.

Some notable Thai charities include: Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) Thai Elephant Conservation Center Rainforest Foundation Thailand

6. EXPERIENCES OVER THINGS: Instead of physical gifts, give the gift of experiences.

This could be a cooking class, spa day, concert tickets, or even a weekend getaway. Experiences create lasting memories and most have a lower environmental impact than material possessions.

By contributing to these organisations, you support their conservation efforts and ensure a brighter future for the 7. UPCYCLED AND VINTAGE GIFTS: Explore thrift shops, vintage stores, and local markets for environment and its inhabitants. unique upcycled or vintage gifts. These items often have 3. ECO-FRIENDLY WRAPPING ALTERNATIVES: a story to tell and can be a treasure for your loved ones.

Traditional wrapping paper is a significant contributor By choosing second-hand gifts, you’re also reducing the to holiday waste, as it’s often discarded after just one use. demand for new products.

To reduce this waste, consider eco-friendly wrapping al-

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Reading for Pleasure Julie Kelly, Leader of Excellence in Teaching and Learning

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esearch consistently shows that children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to read above the level expected for their age than children who do not enjoy reading. This is one of the reasons why we make it our mission to nurture a love of reading in our children from the day they start school.

“Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.”

books, practice reading in different ways and expand their knowledge of the world. The more they read, the better they become at decoding words, building vocabulary and comprehending text.

—Beverly Cleary SO HOW DO WE MAKE READING A PLEASURE? Reading Areas: If you wander around our Primary School, you will notice that every classroom has a comfortable and inviting reading area hosting a wide selection of books, news-

“The peacefulness of the calm classroom environment brings joy to us.”-Wawrina 5M

papers and magazines which are organised, displayed and selected by the children.

Our reading areas are sacred spaces where students nestle in the cushions, alone or with friends, to simply enjoy reading.

READING ROUTINES: Consistent reading routines create a safe and predictable environment, allowing children to direct more of their cognitive resources towards their actual reading.

In Year 3 to Year 6, every morning is dedicated to reading, giving students ample opportunities to choose their

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own

“Reading as a morning routine really takes you inside, like a calming movie that sets me up for a good day.” -Jamie 5M TEACHERS READING TO CHILDREN: At Bangkok Patana we prioritise reading to children.

This takes place every day for at least 10 minutes from the Foundation Stage through to Year 6. During this time, the teacher provides a strong model of expressive and engaging reading and the children relax and listen. This is an important component of learning to read as it strengthens bonds and provides a calm, special time.

We carefully select class novels that are slightly above the children’s independent reading ability, providing an opportunity to stretch their comprehension and critical thinking skills and acquire new vocabulary. Teachers read books that help children make connections to their class-based learning and increase their knowledge of the world.

It is not uncommon for the children to beg their teacher

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COMPETITIONS, CHALLENGES, EVENTS: These are just some of the other components that create our dynamic reading culture.

to read the next chapter of their class novel, followed up by a resounding sigh when it is time to go home. Our teachers make listening to stories irresistible.

“I like listening to stories because I feel like I am in the story.” Shadae, 3T

The annual Year 5 Readers Cup adds an element of excitement and competition to the reading diet, inspiring students to explore a range of different genres.

“I like it when Miss Tracey does the voices of the different characters.” Sirjan, 3T “I like learning new words and adjectives.”

Taejoon, 3T THE LIBRARY: Our Library is the beating heart of the school.

It is vibrant, exciting, colourful and welcoming with an extensive range of books on offer to cater for everyone’s reading pallet. The Library is a hub of information, allowing students follow their own line of inquiry as well as providing a quiet, calm environment for reading and reflection.

Our Library represents ‘community’.

We urge you to accompany your child to the Library and enjoy choosing and reading books together, reinforcing your love of reading.

“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.”

–Kate DiCamillo

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Visits from authors, poets and storytellers offer a unique opportunity to connect with the creators of stories, inspiring creativity.

And finally, some of the most magical reading moments are when our older students buddy up with younger learners to read together and share the stories they have created. This makes reading purposeful and collaborative whilst fostering a sense of community and belonging.

SO WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO NURTURE A LOVE READING? • Make reading at home a really special time.

• Show your love of reading.

• Talk about books.

• Read to your child or with your child - every day.

• Visit the library with your child and choose and read books together.

• Establish reading routines at home.

“I will defend the importance of bedtime stories to my last gasp!”

—J.K. Rowling

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#262: New NameDrop Feature in ios17

Image courtesy of Should Parents Be Concerned About iPhone’s New NameDrop Feature? (yahoo.com)

What Is NameDrop?

NameDrop is a feature that allows two users to hold their iPhone devices very close to each other to quickly exchange personal information (photos, videos, email addresses, and phone numbers).

This also works with an iPhone and an Apple Watch or two Apple Watches.

the text, might inadvertently share their personal information without realising the danger. If users, including parents, wish to turn off the NameDrop feature, simply navigate on an iPhone to ‘Settings’, ‘General’ and then ‘AirDrop’. To disable NameDrop, toggle the ‘Bringing Devices Together’ feature to off.

The feature was first included in the software update known as iOS 17. A bad actor in proximity could easily request to exchange contact details with an unsuspecting child.

Most children, accustomed to clearing screen prompts without reading

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Thanks to Glenn Malcolm for bringing this to our attention.

Have a safe weekend!

Brian Taylor Assistant Principal, Technology for Learning

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PTG UPDATES

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COMMUNITY

CHRISTMAS STORY TIME SPECIAL Saturday, December 9 at 10:30am, Neilson Hayes Library Entry fee: Free for members, 300 Baht for non-members Registration required. Book your spot here- https://bit.ly/ StoryTimeRegistration

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For daily updates, snapshots and news on life at school you can find us here...

643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105) Bangna Tai, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 THAILAND Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200 Fax: +66 (0) 2785 2399 www.patana.ac.th Email: reception@patana.ac.th 20

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